Introduction to International Politics
Foreign Event Analysis
| Locale | ![[]](http://www.kvasaheim.com/flags/flag15-fr.png "Flag of France, Metropolitan") | France, Metropolitan |
|---|---|---|
| Title |
France and India Agree on a “landmark atomic energy pact"
| |
| Summary |
On September 30th in Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh signed an agreement allowing France to sell India nuclear reactors and other nuclear components. A main goal of this agreement is to create “bi-lateral cooperation” between the two states in order to enhance nuclear research. India is slated to benefit immensely, as they need to create energy in order to fuel their massively growing economy, according to reports.
France, a leading exporter of nuclear materials and the second largest producer of nuclear energy in the world, has agreed to send India “…France’s latest model of the European Pressurised Reactor…” as well as other “civilian” materials. India’s ability to utilize these nuclear components may help the nation cut back on energy costs and dependence on foreign energy sources.
To provide historical context, there was a ban placed on India in the mid-1970s forbidding other countries to participate in “civilian nuclear trade” with India. Now, India can work to its goal of becoming a leader in nuclear research, development and testing, especially with both France and the United States able to supply them with nuclear materials. The United States Senate is scheduled to vote on a pact to provide India with nuclear materials; the House of Representatives approved this pact last week. | |
| Analysis |
While the world has been watching to see if India will live up to expectations of becoming an international superpower, this new agreement not only could help India reach this lofty status, but also signifies the world’s support of India. On the surface, it appears that France and the United States do not benefit as much as India does. However, there seem to be absolute gains present. Not only does India benefit tangibly with new nuclear materials but France and the United States also can benefit in two ways by creating an alliance of a different sort (the nuclear sort) with India. India is now a strategic partner in a “volatile part of the world” and India’s cooperation is necessary to combat global warming and France and the United States may be able to help them develop nuclear energy, desperately needed by their massive population and booming economy.
Moreover, breaking the ban of 1974 can help facilitate future trades and negotiations that may not have been possible previously. This new opportunity for repeated exchanges will only foster trust and prove that India is capable of handling itself and its newly acquired nuclear materials. | |
| Perspective |  | Liberal |
| In-Region URL | ||
| Out-of-Region URL | ||
| Submitted | October 1, 2008 at 9:37 pm | |
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